Before it became a trend in this 21st century, tattooing was already an ancient artistic ritual that expressed tradition or religious beliefs. Tattooing has existed for millennia and remains very popular today.
Tattooing in ancient times was done differently in an unhygienic manner. Today, clients are inked by artists using tattoo machines in a considerably more hygienic manner. However, the million-dollar question remains: is it sustainable?
The new trend of eco-conscious consumers is driving various industries to adopt sustainable practices. Various industries are retracing their manufacturing routines to make them more sustainable. As consumers continue to advocate for sustainable products and services, it’s time for the tattoo industry to go green to protect the environment.
Tattooing has become a lifestyle for many. It’s said that an estimated 36% of adults in the United States have at least one tattoo. I recently saw a video on TikTok where someone mentioned that in the next few decades, we will have grandpas and grandmas with more tattoos.
With the increased popularity of ink, it’s important to prioritise sustainable practices to minimize the environmental impact of the tattoo industry—an industry that currently uses single-use plastic gloves, ink caps, and barrier films.
Tattoo artists must adopt sustainable practices to minimize their carbon footprint.
Sustainable Practices in the Tattoo Industry
The tattoo industry is a billion-dollar industry with the potential for significant growth. According to SkyQuest, the Global Tattoo Market size was valued at $1.78 billion in 2022 and it’s expected to grow from $1.95 billion in 2028 to a whopping $4.1 billion by 2030.1
The global tattoo market has become more popular in the past few decades, with more people getting inked. It’s estimated that 21% of the population has at least one tattoo and about 40% of millennials have a tattoo, according to Worldmetrics.org.2
Given the industry’s significant growth and popularity, it’s wise to adopt and prioritize sustainability. Sustainable tattooing encompasses various aspects—from selecting materials to the operational practices of tattoo artists.
Going green in the tattoo industry involves waste reduction by substituting single-use items for biodegradable ones and opting for eco-friendly tattoos with good ink.
1. Opting for Sustainable Tattoo Supplies
The choice of tattooing supplies plays a major role in ensuring sustainable tattooing. Artists should always choose:
Sustainable Inks
For sustainable tattooing, tattoo parlours should opt for eco-friendly inks. Organic inks are derived from natural ingredients and contain no harmful additives, minimising the need to rely on synthetic inking.
According to PETA, some tattoo inks are derived from animal products and may contain bone char, glycerine from animal fat, shellac from insects, or gelatin from animal hooves.3 For vegans, there are inks made from sustainably sourced plant-based pigment with no animal ingredients. Additionally, non-toxic inks free from phthalates, formaldehyde, and parabens are available.
Other Supplies
Tattoo artists use various supplies, from gloves to disposable razors and other equipment. Single-use supplies generate waste that persists in the environment. The industry can minimize its waste generation with biodegradable gloves. Single-use latex gloves take a longer period to decompose, and a prolonged decomposition process can contaminate the environment with microplastics. Biodegradable gloves are a sustainable alternative to reduce plastic waste from latex and nitrile gloves.
2. Reducing Waste
Every client inked generates waste. These can include hazardous waste from used needles, gloves, and ink caps. Proper disposal is essential to prevent environmental contamination.
3. Recycling
Proper waste management is crucial, but recycling is a more sustainable alternative than tossing used tattooing supplies in the dumpster. Due to the new sustainability trend, tattoo studios are implementing recycling programs to minimize their carbon footprint.
They have become more eco-conscious about how they handle items such as paper, metal, and plastics. Taking recycling seriously can inspire clients to partake in it.
The best way to start with the recycling initiative is to place recycling bins close enough for everyone to use.
Going digital also eliminates the need for paper. While it can be recycled multiple times, tattoo parlours switching to digital records and consent forms reduces paper waste.
3. Conserving Energy
A billion-dollar industry gaining more popularity in the past few decades consumes large amounts of energy, which impacts the environment. Adopting sustainable practices involves minimizing energy consumption in tattoo studios. This can be achieved by artists investing in energy-efficient appliances to cut down on their energy consumption.
Tattoo parlours should operate with energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems to save on utility bills.
4. Conserving Water
Installing simple waster conversation devices in tattoo parlours is also a worthy sustainable practice. Studious should be more resourceful by using low-flow faucets, toilet leak detection tabs, and dual-flush toilets.
5. Using Sustainable Cleaning Products
Prioritizing good hygiene at a tattoo parlour is best done with non-toxic cleaning products. Artist must keep their workspace clean and the best way to do it is with products that leave no toxic residue on surfaces or pose a threat to the environment.
6. Recommending Eco-Friendly Tattoo Aftercare
Tattoo artists should prioritize sustainability when recommending aftercare products to their clients. The best ones are natural and organic aftercare products like lotions and balms with no artificial fragrances. Additionally, tattoo artists can educate their clients on how to make natural aftercare products with simple ingredients like shea butter, essential oils, and coconut oils.
Tattoo artist or their clients can explore new ideas on how to promote environmental sustainability through eco-friendly practices. Individual efforts can contribute to a more sustainable tattoo industry, with less waste generated and more eco-friendly supplies for optimal service.
Eco-Friendly Tattoo Inks and Materials
Tattoo artists have a role to play in making the industry sustainable. Through genuine eco-conscious intent, sustainability can be achieved to keep the industry’s carbon footprint minimal.
In an interview with Euronews, Lucy Frost, the founder of Green House Tattoo Studio, expressed her concerns about the amount of single-use plastics used in the tattoo industry. She stated, “I wanted to open a studio that was in line with my values”. Frost further explained “When I started this, I realised there weren’t any alternatives for many of the products. There wasn’t even anything you could take from other sources like food as they were all the wrong sizes”.4
Frost added that she had three options—to either do nothing and continue with tattooing until someone decides to change the situation, quit tattooing altogether, or find an alternative. “I wanted to do something about it so I could carry on doing something I love but in a way that didn’t feel guilty,” she said.
The tattoo industry needs more eco-minded business owners like Lucy Frost. A genuine commitment to sustainability, where the use of unsustainable supplies is minimized, can make a significant difference.
According to Euronews Green, Green House Supplies offers eco-friendly hygienic swabs made from polylactic acid, a bio-based material derived from plants. The manufacturing process of these materials indicates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which is better than materials like polystyrene.
Vegan Inks
Vegan inks are made with plant-based pigments and contain no animal by-products. Unlike conventional inks, typically made from glycerine, gelatine, and bone char—these inks are sustainably sourced from nature to suit the vegan lifestyle.
While vegan inks are sustainably sourced, there is still no conclusive evidence regarding their reliability and health effects. Some tattoo companies claim that their plant-based inks are safe and reliable, but this cannot be definitely stated as fact.
Waste Reduction in Tattoo Parlours
Waste reduction is crucial for any industry vying to achieve sustainability. It starts with tattoo studios choosing eco-friendly supplies over single-use ones.
Proper waste management starts from the tattoo studio. The responsibility of anyone in charge of a tattoo parlour is to ensure the safe and proper disposal of tattoo supplies—from all medical waste to hygiene supplies.
Types of Medical Waste Found in a Tattoo Parlour
Tattoo artists use needles to pierce the skin while a client gets inked. During this process, the needles come in contact with bodily fluids and are considered medical waste after use. Other supplies considered medical waste include lancets, gauze, dressings, gloves, needle covers, leftover ink, cotton swabs, protective gowns and other personal protective equipment.
Disposing of Sharps
Used sharps from tattoo parlours should be disposed of properly to avoid the risk of injury and infection. All used sharps should be carefully placed in puncture-proof containers. Tattoo artists and studio owners should check with certified medical waste removal services for proper disposal of these hazardous wastes.
Handling Contaminated Materials
More used materials from tattoo parlours such as gloves, ink caps and bandages should also be handled carefully because they come in contact with the client’s bodily fluids. Disposing of them with biohazard bags is recommended, but the disposal process must follow local health department guidelines.
Non-Hazardous Waste Management
Used supplies considered less harmful can also be infectious after use. These supplies include paper towels, protective barriers, and stencil papers. It’s best to have these supplies disposed of properly to avoid any form of contamination.
Sustainable Alternatives in Tattooing
Choosing Biodegradable Alternatives
A simple transition from single-use supplies to biodegradable ones can make a significant difference. Tattooing becomes more sustainable when artists and owners choose:
- Biodegradable Ink Caps: Opting for biodegradable ink caps derived from plant-based materials will minimize waste from conventional plastic that does not biodegrade.
- Stencil Paper: Choose sustainably sourced stencil paper made from recycled material.
- Biodegradable Gloves: Biodegradable gloves are a sustainable alternative to reduce plastic waste from latex and nitrile gloves.
Client Education
Tattoo artists can inspire their clients to adopt new sustainable trends. Studio owners can implement green initiatives by educating their staff on proper waste management and prioritizing sustainability.
Sustainable Packaging
One way tattoo studios can minimize their carbon footprint is by prioritizing eco-friendly packaging for aftercare products and client materials. Choosing sustainable alternatives over single-use plastic packaging helps in waste reduction. Instead of providing single-use plastic packaging for aftercare products, artists can choose refillable containers.
Is Tattooing Sustainable?
Getting inked is a choice, but the sustainability of the process depends on the operational practices of the tattoo studio. Adopting sustainable practices in tattooing ensures a safer environment with less medical waste. Waste reduction is just one of the various eco-friendly practices that a tattoo studio can implement. Sustainable tattooing also involves energy and resource conservation, choosing biodegradable supplies over single-use ones, educating staff and clients, eco-friendly aftercare packaging, etc.
What Is the New Technology in the Tattoo Industry?
3D printing is an innovation that has inspired tattoo artists to create customized and unique designs. With 3D printers, artists can create accessories for optimal tattooing.
What are the Traditional Practices of Tattooing?
Tattooing is an ancient artistic ritual that expresses tradition or religious beliefs. According to Funhouse Tattoo San Diego, traditional tattooing is an ancient art form that holds significance in various cultures, representing a form of self-expression, spiritual connection, and cultural identity.5 Traditional tattooing uses simple supplies like thread, needle, and ink. It typically involves soaking a thread in ink or dipping it in soot or seal oil before stitching the thread through the skin with a needle. The thread is later removed to reveal the tattoo.
Conclusion
The tattoo industry is a billion-dollar industry with the potential to grow in the coming years. More people are getting inked, with statistics indicating over 38% of millennials have tattoos. It’s said that 15% of adults in the United States have experienced tattoo regret, resulting in an increase in tattoo removal procedures in the last decade.
Sustainable tattooing ensures a safer environment and educates others on the importance of adopting eco-friendly practices.
Sources
- Tattoo market size and forecast to 2030. (n.d.). ↩︎
- Tattoo Industry Statistics Statistics: Market Data Report 2024. (n.d.). ↩︎
- Is tattoo ink vegan? | PETA. (2024, April 2). PETA. ↩︎
- Euronews. (2021, December 21). Vegan inks and no plastic: How are tattoo artists going green? Euronews. ↩︎
- Sd, F. T. (2024, March 25). Traditional tattooing | an ancient cultural art form. Funhouse Tattoo San Diego. ↩︎